Title (fr)

Publication

Application

Priority

US 85379901 A 20010511

Abstract (en)

In accordance with the invention, a metal substrate is coated with a layer of tin or tin alloy that is surface doped to inhibit the growth of tin whiskers. An optional metal underlayer may be disposed between the substrate and the tin. In an exemplary embodiment the metal substrate comprises copper alloy coated with a nickel underlayer and a layer of surface doped with gold or palladium tin. The doping inhibits whisker growth, and the resulting structure is particularly useful as an electrical connector or lead frame. <IMAGE>